Automatic train-pipe connecter



March 17, 1931. J. v. ROBINSON AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE CONNECTER I inal Filed Dec. 4, 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 17, 1931. J,V ROB.NSON 1,797,169

I AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE CONNECTER Original Filed Dec. 4,1919 2 Sheets-Sheet -2 51 auteur 1,013; ii zzmu m far Patented Mar. 17,1931

AT NT i JOSEPH v. ROBINSON, or nnwvonx, N. Y.

vAU'E(3TMA'.L1' C TRAIN-PIPE CONNECTER Application filed December 4, 131%, Serial My invention relates to automatic train i pipe connecters and has for its object to provlde' an unproved support for such con'neeters in which free'universal movement of the coupllng head will be allowed with the minlmum the supporting bracket.

of resistance to such movement, and in which the universal support of my improvement may "be shifted longitudinally of the car in- 1 dependent of movement of the upper'part of A further object of my invention is to provide an improved sup. porting bracket for automatic train pipe conn-ecters which will be simple and efficient, and economical of manufacture. And still another object of invention is to provide improved means for positively locking the bracket to the lug of a car coupler and for correctly positioning the bracket with respect to the lug.

tions, arrangements, and constructions descr bed 1n the followlng specificatlons,

pointed out in the annexed claims,andiIlus-r trated in the accompanying which t Figure 1 is a longitudinalelevation ofmy improved support, showing some of the parts insection.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal plan view of my improvement with some of the parts in section.

' Figure 3'is a detail of theupper part of the bracket of my improved support showing in elevation the connection between the members thereof, and

Figure 4 is an elevation of my improved support taken on the line of Figure 1,

' and showing some of the parts in section.

f Referring now to the drawingsrMy ini proved support consists of a bracket A'havdrawmgs, n

- ing a pair of ears 5 and (iadapted to be" securely clamped, as by means of bolts 7, to opposite sides of a lug 8 of the car coupler '9. Each ear is, provided with a seat orway 1i0 betwe-en which and the underside 11 0f the 1ug 8 a tapered wedge 12 is'driven. The forward end 18 of the seats 10 is curved u-pwardly to deflect the course of the forward end 14 of the wedge 12 as the wedge is driven home. lhis construction forces the forward improvement consists of the combine No. 342,456., Renewed November 10, 192s.v Y

end of the wedge upwardly around the corner 15 on the front face of the lug 8 and thus positively locks the wedge in position, g It will be observedthat the seats 10 and the wedge 12 are tapered, sothat, as the wedge is driven home the ears "5 and 6 are drawn tightly down upon the bolts 7 and are squared with respect to the lower face 16 of the lug. This construction 'efiiciently prevents back lash of the'bracket' A, and insures that at all times thebracket will be properly positioned with respect to the lug 8. Any wear upon the mating parts of the bracketand the lug isreffectively taken up by driving the wedge 12. forward. 4 i

Each of the ears Efand 6 have formed integrall-y with it'a perforated boss or seatl? 1 adapted to adjustably receive the upper ends 18 of the base 19 of the bracket A. The base i consists of a bar of iron, preferably cylindrical in cross section, formed into a U; shaped. memberas-shown, the upper ends 18 of which are disposed at substantially a right angle to the vertical walls thereof and are adjust-- a b'lymounted in the seats 17 onthe ears 12. These ends18 are threaded to receive nuts 21 whereby th'e'base 19Vmay be shifted longitudi;

vertically extending flange or projection 28,

the conduitbeing atthe forward end: of the body and the flange at therear end thereof andthe flange and the conduit being con- V nectedby spaced' wa l'ls or straps 24Qpre-fer- V I 'ably formed integrally with the conduitand the flange. he space'between the straps 24 forms-in effect a slot extending through the "pipe or member '13. The lower-end "25 of g the base 19-lies in the h-orizontal plane and extends transversely of said' hollow body and projects through the opening therein. Upon this portion 25 ofthe base 19 "I pivot ally mount a pivot bar on tie'rod' 26 the same having' perforated head 27 which embraces the-lower end 25 of the base and lies between the straps 24andwit-hinthe hollow of the body B, as shown. The tie rod extends rearwardly of said body through an opening 28 in the flange 29, and threadingly receives at its rear end a member or abutment 30 adapted to be manually adjusted along the pivot bar 26 for a considerable distance. Between this nut and the rear face of the flange 29 I mount a suitable buffer spring C. The spring surrounds the tie rod 26 and rests on a seat 31 formed therefor upon the rear face of the flange 29, and 0p. erates to maintain the flange normally in contact with the rear face of the base 19 with the body B normally disposed in the horizontal plane. Any desired tension of the spring C may be had by adjusting the nut 30, which operation will vary the force required to shift the body B from its normal uncoupled position, either longitudinally of the car or laterally thereof. Any suitable form of coupling head D may be used with my improved support and may, in any satisfactory manner, be mounted upon the body B. I preferably threadingly mount the head.

upon the forward end of conduit 22, and provide with a port 32 and gasket 33 both of which have communication with the conduit 22. i e H v To direct the fluid from the train pipe of the car to the connector, any satisfactory form of connection may be used. I show the usual section of air hose now universally in use upon railway cars, tho flexible metallic pipe may be employed for this purpose if desired.

It will be observed that the flange 23 contacts with the base 19 only at the sides-of the base and the flange, there being no contact between the flange and the base between the vertical walls of the latter.

be formed or" any desired shape in cross section, as for instance rectangular, I prefer ably form them round. This construction produces a universal joint in which .the curved faces of the mating members permit easy pivotal movement between them in all directions. e v

, In assembling my improved support the head 27 of the tie rod26 is passed over one end 18 of the base 19 and is then shifted to position on the base. Thereafter the base is hooked into the hollow body B by passing one end of the base through the body "from a side thereof after which the cars 12 are assembled onthe ends 18 ofthe base. The spring C is then passed over the tie rod 26 and positioned on the seat or lower end 25 of the base whereupon the nut 30 is applied and adjusted to place the spring placed undersuiiicient.v tension to properly support the coupling head D. This construction produces ahighly efiicient support, which will permit free universal movement to the'coupling head D with the minimum resistance to While the base 19 and the head 27 of the tie rod may such movement, and which may be adjusted longitudinally of the car coupler to compensate for wear upon the car coupler knuckle, or upon the parts of my improvement, and thus maintain a substantially constant degree of compression of the spring C at all times. Through contact of the straps 24 of the body B with the base 19 undue rotation of the coupling head and body B about their longitudinal axis is prevented.

Variations may be made in my improvement within the scope of my invention; I do not therefore desire to be limited to the exact construction disclosed.

l/Vhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In an automatic train pipe connecter, the combination of a coupling head, a hollow body connected therewith, a lug, a universal support for said head comprising connected members one of which extends vertically of said head and carries a rigid portion which extends transversely of the head into the opening of said body, and the other of which 'is pivotally mounted upon said transversely extending portion, and means for connecting said vertically extending member to said lug.

2. In an automatic train pipe connecter, the combination of a car coupler having a lug, a member connected with said lug, a coupling head, a hollow body connected with said head and extending rearwardly thereof, a base extending downwardly from said member and connected therewith a seat rigidly connected to said base and extending transversely thereof into the hollow of said body, a member mounted upon said seat for universal movement, and a spring acting against said body to extend said coupling head.

3. In an automatic train pipe connecter, the combination of a car coupler having a lug, a coupling head, a hollow body connected with said head, a universal support for said head comprising pivotally connected memthereof, an abutment upon said rearwardly extending member, a spring interposed between said abutment and said body for projecting said head, and means for connecting the vertically extending member to said lug.

4. In an automatic train pipe connecter, the combination of a coupling head, a bracket, a universal oint on said bracket for permi ting universal movement of said head, said joint comprising mating members one of which is rigid with said bracket, a projection resting normally against the rear side of said bracket, spaced means connecting said head withrsaidiproj ction; saidispacedr means being arrangedgonesabove the other andbeing. po.--

and a spring for projecting said coupling headc. l

an automatic train pipe connecter,

- thefcombination: of; a. coupling. head, a per= front ofsaid. flange. with. its rear. side contacting. with: said: flange and the. other i of which is :mounted. uponk thev bottom of said U. shapedziiportion... and." extends rearwardly thereof past said flange, and resilient imeans forzextendin'gysaid :head. 7

6 In an automatic-train pipe connector,

the; combination: ofa coupling head, a flange, mechamsmaconnectmg Stud head. with: said flange, a bracket comprising spaced portions which engage the sides of saidrflange, the uppers: central portion ofsaidflange being free from contact .with saidgzbracket, means lying in frontofxsaid flange and rigidly connected to vthe spaced-members of said. bracket, amember: pivotally: mounted; upon said means,-..and means: for flexibly maintaining said flangeandjsaid bracket: in engagement,

with said coupling head horizontally disposed 7 .1 In an-xautomatioitrain pipe .connecter,

' theicombinatiion; of a coupling head; a flange, means connectmg said head 'w1t'h1sa1d flange, a bracket: engaging: one side of. said flange, a: universaljoint. comprising piv-i otally connected members one ofwhich ex:

tends transversely of said bracketsand; the

other of whichprojects rearwardlyzof. the bracket, andaazspring acting upon said. flange and ,said. universal, joint. tov resist vertical movement of said coupling-head,- said flange andsaid bracket being so related that said spring. resistsz downward; movement; of said coupling head from thenormal uncoupled position but not. upward; movement thereof from said position;

8.5 Inaan; automatic train. pipe connector,

the 1 combination: with a; coupling head, of a s universal; support therefor comprising con-' neeted'members. one of. which .isgU shaped andthe other of which is pivotally mounted upon. the bottom. of said U. shaped. member.

9; In an automatic train pipe connecter,

.the combination with a car coupler having a lug, ofa coupling head-and a support there-.

for, said. support comprising a U shaped bracket the upper end of which is connected to saidlugandthe lower end of which carries auniversal joint the-members ofwhich oint clampedto. opposite'sidcsof 'said lug-and hav? ing abearing extending axially i'ofsaidw car are pivotallyconnected.

'10.}In an'automatic, train pipe connecter, theqcombinationvof a-coupling head, a'lug,

and-a vsupport for said head; comprising a U shaped member, the slowenend of which. car-r ries a universal joint, a pairof ears-one of which is mounted on one fork -of said. U and" the other of which is mountedon the. other fork thereof, and means 1 for-:connecting said earswith saidlug; 1 y a 11. In an automatic train pipe' conneeter; the combination of acar vcoupler having 'a lug, a coupling head, and a universal support i for said head comprisinga pair ofears' conin'ectedv tosaid lug in 'oppo'site si'des: thereof,

and. av U: shaped member the upperendsxof which are connected with. said ears. andi'thei lower end. of whichcarries azuniversal joint 12. In'an automatic train pipeconnectei, the combination of a support comprising 1 a lug,- a pair of 'ears'connectedW-ith saidilugron. opposite sides thereof,each of saidearsbe-i-ng provided with an opening, a. U shaped basethe lower end of which carries a: universal;

oint and the upper endof whichexte'nds into said openings and is connectedz'withisaiid ears, and: a coupling head connected withsaidsib'ase:

and. adapted to move universally-upon:the;

lower endthereof;

ings insaid ears, andineans :forsecuring-saidi. members n saldopenings. w

14;. In an automatic'train pipe connector,

the combination of a. carcoupler; havingztaz. lug, a coupling. head; and. aasuitablexsupport:

therefor comprising a pair. ofears. connected;

tofsaidilugyeach of said ears being provided with an opening, a; vertically eXtendingbase; comprising spaced. members the upper ends of which are disposed at an angle to :the'ver' tical' plane .and extend into the openings-in. said.ears,andfmeans for adjnstably securing said members in said openings; i i

15; an. automatic train -pipe-connecter, the-:combmatronw1th a cancoupler. having .a;,.

lug, of a coupling head and: a support. there for, said support comprising independent members connected with said lug, avertically extending base connectedwith saidmembers,

auniversal joint at the lower end of said base,

and. means for adjusting-said base alongsaid membersto shift said universa'l ;joint axially;

ofsaid. car coupler.

16.1 In an automatic train pipe 1001111601381, 1

the combination with. a car coupler having; a

lug, of a couplinghead, a support therefor;-

support con'iprising; independent members coupler, a U shaped-base the upper ends'ofy andmeans carried by Said projections for shifting said base axially of said car couupwardly towards said lug, the upper ends of said base being disposed horizontally and.

connected with said lug.

-18. In an automatic train pipe connecter, the combination of a coupling head, a hollow body connected with said head and having a perforated flange, a base'having a rigid horizontally arranged portion at its lower end, a member pivotally mounted upon said rigid portion of said base within the openingin said body and extending rearwardly of the body through said flange, a seat upon said flange, a spring surrounding said member and bearing upon said seat to project said coupling head, and means adjustably mounted upon the rear end of said member for varyingthe tension of said spring.

. 19. In an automatic train pipe connecter, the combination with a car coupler having a lug, of a pair of ears clamped to said lug one on oneside of the lug and one on the other, a horizontally disposed bearing on each of said ears, a seat on one of said ears, a device interposed between the lower side ofsaid lug and said seat to securely lock the ears in position a coupling head, a fluid conduit connected with saidhead, a flange, means connecting said conduit with said flange, a U shaped base the upper end of which terminates in horizontally disposed projections which extend into the bearings of said ears, a universal j oint. carried at the lower end of sald base one men ber .of which joint extends rearwardly through said flange, means for adjusting said base relative to said ears to shift said uni 'versal joint axially of said car coupler, a

spring surrounding said rearwardly extending member of said joint and bearing upon said flange-for extending said coupling head,

and an abutment adapted to be manually adj usted along said rearwardly extending member of said joint to vary the tension of said spring against said flange.

20; In'an automatic train pipe connector, the combination ofa coupling head, a bracket having a seat,- a member connected with said 'head and extending rearwardly past said bracket, said member being provided with an elongated opening, a tie rod pivotally mounted-on the seat of said bracket and extending rearwardly of the latter, a horizontally arranged portion rigid withsaid bracket and extending transversely thereof through the opening in'said member with the ends thereof projecting laterally beyond said member, a

coiled springv 'surrounding said tie rod and 'yieldingly sustaining said coupling head with the rear end of said member engaging said bracket, and means to secure said spring in place. i o p 21. In an automatic train pipe connecter, in combination, a bracket having-a rigid horizontally arranged portion provided with a seat on its front face, a coupling head, a member connected tosaid head and extending rearwardly past-said bracket and having a perforated flange adapted to bear against the rear face of the bracket, a tierodengagingsaid seat and extending rearwardly through said perforation, and a spring surrounding said tie rod for pressing said flange against the racket.

22. In a train pipe connecter, a bracket having spaced portions at its lower end, a member extending between said spaced portions of the bracket and rigidly secured thereto at its ends, a coupling head having a shank extending rearwardly past said member and said bracket and provided with a projection adapted to contact with the rear face of the bracket, said shank having two spaced por-' tions arranged on opposite sides of said member, a device pivotally engaging said member, and a spring for holding said device against said member and said projection against the bracket.

23. In a'train pipe connecter, a bracket having spaced portions at its lower end, a member extending between said spaced portions of thebracket and rigidly secured thereto at its ends, said member being arranged substantiallyhorizontally and having a seat intermediate its ends, a coupling head, a rearwardly extending shank secured thereto and provided with a projection for engaging the 7 rear face of the bracket, said shankcomprisin upper and lower portions between which said member'is arranged, a device pivotally engaging said seat and means for yieldingly holding said device in said seat and said projection against the bracket.

24:. In a train pipe connecter, a bracket having spaced portions at its lower end, a substantially.horizontal part rigidly secured to said spaced portions and extending between the same, a coupling head, a rearwardfor yieldingly holding said device and said 7 projection against the bracket.

25. In a train pipe connector, a bracket having spaced portions at its lower end, a substantially horizontal part rigidly secured at its ends to said spaced portions and extending between the same,'a coupling head, a rearwardly extending shank secured thereto and provided with'a projection for engaging l the rear face of the bracket, said shank having a slot through which said horizontal part extends, a bar pivotally engaging said horizontal part intermediate its ends and extending rearwardly of the bracket and having an abutment, and a spring surrounding said'bar and engaging said abutment and projection;

26. In a train pipe connecter, a bracket having spaced portions at its lower end, a member extending between said spaced portions of the bracket and rigidly secured thereto at its ends, a coupling head having a shank extending rearwardly past said member and said bracket and provided with a projection adapted to contact with the rear face of the bracket, said shank having a portion arranged on each side of said member with the ends of said member extending laterally beyond the sides of said shank, a device pivotally engaging said member between the spaced portions of said shank, and a spring for holding said device against said member and said pro ect1on against the bracket.

In testimony whereof I hereby affix my JOSEPH ,v. ROBINSON.

signature. 

